UMSU Evicts Campus Massage Therapist

Space given to student community reps

JENELLE PETRINCHUK STAFF

As of Sept. 1, Campus Massage Therapy has been formally evicted from the office it has occupied in University Centre for six years. The space will now be used as offices for UMSU’s student community representatives.

During the Executive Committee report at the UMSU meeting on August 31, UMSU president Gary Sran explained that, “Starting Sept. 1, the office space will be used for the five UMSU community representatives and students wishing to meet with them.”

In July of this year Campus Massage therapist Reynald Bynski was told by UMSU that he had to vacate his office. Over the next several weeks, Bynski fought UMSU’s decision. “It I lose this space, it will be a huge loss to my career, my livelihood and my financial situation,” said Bynski at the time.

He stated that UMSU has turned down several of his attempts to speak with them regarding this issue.

“Neither reason, logic, or the voices of Disability Services, Campus Dental, Student Advocacy . . . nor the many students who sent in e-mails and signed the petitions are being heard,” said Bynski. “It seems the only people who want this decision [are] five people in council.”

Sran said that the final decision took into consideration many factors, including the lack of a written agreement between Bynski and UMSU and that Bynski does not pay rent for the space.

He added, “using the space for anything but student office space is a violation of our space use agreement with the University of Manitoba. In this agreement, the space is listed as ‘non-commercial use’ but campus massage therapy would qualify as commercial use.”

It was noted at the UMSU Council meeting that UMSU has received a few letters regarding the space and massages on campus. Sran said people were confused about the availability of massages on campus. He mentioned the Athletic Therapy Centre on campus, “that already take[s] in many students, faculty and staff and is a member of the Health Care Coalition.”

Bynski said he is upset about the decision and that he was treated unfairly. “However, the decision has been made and I would like to thank all the students and U of M staff who supported me through this ordeal and in the past six years,” he said, adding “I have greatly enjoyed my time at the U of M.”

The new occupants of the space will be council representatives for LGBTT students, international students, Aboriginal students, students with disabilities and female students. The community reps did not have an office prior to this change.

Councillors representing faculties typically have offices in their home building.